Grapple.



J. 3. FOX.

GRAPPLE.

APPLICATlON FILED APR. 16. 1912.

li i wfi, Patentefi Oct. 16,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

5.1. FOX;

GRAPPLE.

.xPPLlzATmu mm APR. :6, 1917.

Patented Got. 16, 1917.

2 SHEETSSHEE T 2.

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JOH'N JACOB FOX, 01? COLUMBUS, GEORGIA.

GRAPPLE.

Application filed April 16, 1917.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN J. Fox, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at' Columbus, in the county of Muscogee and State of Georgia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Grapples, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in grapples and is especially designed for use as a puller of primary fuse plugs. In the pursuit of their calling electric linemen are frequently called upon to withdraw, or pull out, the primary fuse plug from the cross arm on a pole, for repairs or for other causes, and this pro cceding is dangerous, frequently resulting in' accidents and loss of life, due to falling from the pole or receiving shocks from the electric currents.

The primary object of my invention is the provision of a device or tool that may be handled with facility by the lineman and manipulated by one hand if desired. which isinsulated against electric currents to avoid the receiving of shocks or charges. and which is both durable and comparatively inexpensive in production.

The invention consists essentially in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

in the accompanying drawings 1 have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention constructed according to the best mode I have so far, devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a grapple embodying my invention and shown closed over the knob or head of a fuse plug, ready to withdraw or pull out the plug.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the grapple hooks disengaged from the knob.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, sectional view of the pawl and ratchet mechanism of my device.

Fig. 4- is an enlarged transverse sectional view on line 4-4. of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view at 55 Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view at 66 Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view at 7-7 Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is av detail view of a pair of grapple arms and connections.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention as illustrated in the drawings I have Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Got. 16, 1917.

Serial No. 162,380.

t. utilized a pull-bar or rod 1, preferably rectangular in cross section, composed of Wood, and of suitable length to be handled by the lineman. One end of the pull bar is provided with a rigid handle 2,- and at the other end a tapered ferrule 3 preferably of under the knob 9 of the plug 10 retained as usual on the cross arm 11. The arms '5 are resilient and in normal position the grapple hooks 8 are spaced apart.

In order to grip the grapple hooks over the knob of the fuse plug I provide a compressing grapple ring 12 which may be of metal and formed with four deep grooves 13 which are defined by the side walls 14 and the grooves are arranged diametrically opposite each other in order to accommodate the four grapple arms. The grapple ring is adapted to slide over the grapple arms and when moved toward their free ends the ring rides down and compresses the arms toward each other in pairs to grip the hooks about the knob on the plug.

A wooden sleeve 15 is provided with a bore rectangular in cross section and the sleeve is adapted to slide along the bar 1, the connecting bars 16 being provided to join the grapple ring with the slide sleeve. A metal thimble or socket 16 is secured about the end of the sleeve and the screws 17 which secure the ends of the connecting bars to the sleeve pass through this thimble holding the parts rigidly together, while the screws 18 firmly attach the outer ends of the connecting bars 16 to the grapple ring 12. A grapple lock is provided at the handle end of the bar 1 and slide sleeve and for this purpose I provide a toothed rack plate, of metal which is inset and attached to one face of the bar 1, indicated at 19 for engagement by a spring pawl 20. The pawl is operated by a thumb plate or lever 21 pivoted at 22 in the wings of a metal ring 23 secured at the end of the sleeve, and the flat spring 24 is inclosedin the thumb lever which forms a housing fair the spring plate. At 25 the spring plate ishent to fit in the curved recess 26 of the thumb lever and it will readily be seen that by' pressing upon the right end of the lever 21 in Fig. 3, the straight end or pawl 20 of the spring plate will be lifted from engagement with the rack plate 19. y

In manipulating the tool or'device the handle 2 is graspedin the hand with the thumb on the thumb lever 21, the parts being open as indicated in Fig. 2. In order to grasp the plug, the thumb lever is first pressed down to release the pawl 20 and then the sleeve 15, and its accessories, is pushed forward by the thumb on the thumb lever causing the grapple locking ring 12 to ride down and close the hooks of the grapple arms about the knob of the plug as shown in Fig. l. The thumb lever is released and thepawl engages the rack plate locking the parts together. A pull on the handle 2 will now withdraw the fuse plug, and the plug may afterward be released by releasing the pawl and sliding the sleeve 15 toward the handle 2.

From the above description taken in con nection with my drawings it will readily be seen that I have provided an eliicient tool for accomplishing the results and performing-the functions of a comparatively perfect device, and that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing in the drawings, but may be changed and modified Within the scope of my claim.

What I claim is The combination with a pull bar having diametrically arranged, resilient, divergent, grapple arms, of a slidable sleeve on the bar, a compressing ring carried by said sleeve and having radial grooves forming inclosures for said .arms, whereby the arms are brought toward each other when the sleeve is moved in one direction, and means for retaining the sleeve in adjusted position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOHN JACOB FOX. 

